The Newslotter of the Original [obo Nickel Suciely, Inc.
Muly/Aug/Sept ZUUU
Just When You Think You've Seen It Alll
While at a local coin show this past
weekend, a dealer who has a few
hobo nickels showed me a rather
unusual one he had just purchased,
T thought it was so unusual thal T
asked if I could borrow it to photo-
graph and write it up for BO TALES,
As you can see from the photo, it
is a fairly well done example, but
by Bill Fivaz
there’s a “chunk” out of the obverse!
‘Thereis also a long scratch across the
face on the obverse and several more
on the reverse,
‘The thing that intrigued me about
this coin is that it's a counterfeit, but
it doesn't stop there. The obverse ap-
pears to be made of a very soft metal,
probably lead, but the Type 1 reverse
gives every appearance of being a le-
gitimate 75% copper/25% nickel
product as it has an entirely differ-
ent color, although not discernable in
the photos
A check of the edge shows clearly
that two different pieces were sealed
together, but the “coppery” color that
is hlaeding through around the re-
verse rim and on the high points of
the reverse (the hip and flank under-
continued on page 3
When You Think
You've Seen
Ttall......... Front Cover
Prez, Message ..
Hobo Bread ....,
Hodgepodge ...
Dues Notice ......
OHNS Goodies...
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY. INC é
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
MODERN HOBO
NICKELS REPORT
Modern hobo nickels are
gaining in popularity on
eBay Internet auctions. Just
recently a Sam Alfano carv-
ing of a gold-toothed waif sold for $585.00. A great carv-
ing of a pirate by Cinco de Arturo sold for $315.00. And
gaining is Arthur Hutchison, Jr. (or “Hutches”) whose nice
partial cameo copy of Bo's RR cop design sold for $177.50.
Average to Above Average old hobo nickels are selling for
about $100 to $250 on eBay. High Above Average to Su-
perior old hobo nickels rarely sold for over $350.00 on
eBay, until recently. A satirical carving of a Pope on a
1913 nickel just sold for $651.26 on a reduced bid.
There seems to be many hobo nickel collectors active
on Internet auctions who probably don’t know about us.
So any OHNS members selling hobo nickels on the
Internet, please put in a plug for OHNS. Thanks to those
who already have.
OHNS AUTHENTICATION FEES
The fee for submitting only one hobo nickel for authen-
tication may be increasing soon. The long-time $15.00
fee no longer covers our cost of mailing the coin twice (or
possibly three times) via Registered Mail (due to rate in-
creases), photography, copying forms, and other mailings.
So beginning next year (pending Board approval), the
fee for a single coin submission may be raised to $20.00
(for secure Registered mailings), and stay at $15.00 for
those opting for less secure Insured mailings. Plus an ex-
tra $1.10 for each $100.00 insurance over $100.00, or an
extra $1.10 for Registered mail with insurance over $100
to $500.
ees remain the same for multiple coin submissions.
HOBO NICKEL GUIDEBOOK
Work has progressed rapidly over the summer on a Hobo
Nickel Guidebook to be published by OHNS. A first draft
hhas been written. But much work remains in obtaining
and organizing the hundreds of photos of hobo nickels to
be illustrated in the book. The Guidebook covers who
how and why hobo nickels were made, explains the Qual-
ity Designations (Crude to Superior), discusses factors af-
fecting the desirability and value of hobo nickels, has a
biographical gallery of the best known named and nick-
named hobo nickel artists both old and modern, tells how
to recognize a modern hobo nickel, covers fakes and hobo
tokens, and illustrates many hobo nickels from past OHNS
auctions with Quality Designations and hammer prices,
plus a handy glossary.
Itis too early to take orders now. Watch for announce
ments in future issues of Bo Tales or in a special mailing
to OHNS members.
NICK IS BORED
No questions were submitted for the ASK NICK col-
umn which debuted last issue. If you have nothing to
ask, maybe you have some information to share? If so,
write an article for Bo Tales. It’s your publication, and we
need more input from members. Any members who are
currently making hobo nickels, let us know about your-
self and your creations, if your story hasn't appeared in
Bo Tales yet. Send your articles to the Editor; send Ask
Nick questions to me (see last issue).
Thope to see many of you in Orlando in January at the
FUN show and OHNS meeting and auction. The final
issue of Bo Tales for this year will the auction catalogue.
Steve “The Big One” Alpert
oy +X FH wom
Correction
Greetings, Steve. I was so pleased to see Sam Alfano
featured in the Spring 2000 issue of Bo Tales. He truly is
a gifted artist on many fronts!
As [ read the article, I noticed that there is one com-
ment that needs correction. While itis true that Sam’s first
carving was that of a Cajun fisherman, the character's name
is COOTER JACK, not Elmo Thibideaux. Cooter Jack is
carved on the obverse as well as having an amusing trans-
formation of the bison on the reverse into a fish swim-
ming amid some sea grass!!! However, Elmo Thibideaux
is the first Hobo piece with gold inlaid to the hatband.
‘As you personally know this particular piece, you can
surely appreciate his craftsmanship!
Just wanted to keep the genealogy of this branch of the
Hobo family tree clear. I look forward to seeing this spe-
cial branch grow and blossom. Iam very happy to be one
of the ‘tenders’ of the roots. His work is certainly some-
thing to ‘ bark ‘ about!!!
Please publish the correction in the next edition of Bo
Tales.
Vagabondly,
“CEEBO” # 408
‘This correction was forwarded by Email to Mr. Sam Alfano
for comment, but no comments were received (editor).
2 BOTALES:
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, IN
“Seen It Alll.... continued trom page 1
neath it, the tail, the buffalo's horn and on “CENTS") tell
us that itis not a legit reverse. Whoever manufactured the
false dies for this piece was good, believe me!
The “chunk” that has fallen away on the obverse ig sim-
ply a portion of the lead or whatever metal was used that
failed to bond properly and gol lost over time. The reverse
is slightly rotated, but not to the extent that we usually
coo on thie typo of forgory.
OHNS now has a Librarian
ONINS is forming a lending library for our members,
with Roger Wollam as our Librarian, Mr. Wollam was one
of the volunteers for the librarian position requested in
the lastassue of Bo ales, and the board voted in his tavor.
Any members who wish to donate books, periodicals,
music tapes and CDs, and videotapes related to hobo nick-
els and hoboes may do so now, Please send all library
material to:
Roger E. Wollam (LM12)
3191 Wayside Terrace
Salem, OR 97303
phone 503-585-0269
email: ullmr@uswest.com
Hobo Bread is a cake
made in coffee can
Rogarding a letter from D.E.B. for “Cake in a Can” is
also known. as Hobo Bread. I's not a typical yeast-type
bread; it’s more like a dark brown yummy cake. Our fam-
ily was intraduced to it hy friends who take it ta camp,
making it ahead in coffee cans. Enclosed is our recipe.
WB. Falmouth
HOBO BREAD
4 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups boiling water
2 cups dark raisins
4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons oil
Mix baking soda and water and pour over raisins. Let
stand overnight without stirring. Next morning sift flour,
sngar and salt tngether and stir into raisin mixture with a
spoon, Add oil and continue mixing with spoon. Batler
will be thick. Grease and flour 3 one-pound coffee cans
and put 1/3 of the batter into each can, leaving top open
for baking (cans will be about half full). Bake at 950 for a
half-hour, reduce to 325 for another half-hour,
Near end, cover cans with foil to prevent over-brown-
ing, Remove from oven after testing; lay cans on sides and
turn occasionally to loosen bread. Delicious with cream
cheese, fruit salad or hot buttered with beans and ham.
Reprinted from an unknown newspaper Dear Write to Know:
column that was forwarded to Gail K.
3.200)
He 003
ee gusto, 2001
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, INC,
ba fore paar ce
“FLAT NOSE” QUIZ
Remember the early hobo nickel maker nicknamed “Flat
Nose” in the last issue of Bo Tales? Take this test - see if
you can find the hobo nickel by “Flat Nose” among the 20
hobo nickels on page 44 of Joyce Ann Romines’ The Hobo
Nickel book. If you're stumped, go back and look up “Flat
Nose” in last issue's column.
‘As I write this in early September, a “Flat Nose” hobo
nickel is currently being auctioned on eBay. The seller
guesses it depicts an “African Traveler Muslim.”
Two more nicknamed prolific early hobo nickel makers
are introduced below.
INTRODUCING “DAPPER”
Tve selected the nickname “Dapper” for this unknown
early hobo nickel artist because his works depict a well
dressed and
spruced up man
with a neal, short,
tim beard, mus-
tache and hai
Three “Dapper”
hobo nickels are il-
lustrated (Figures 1
to 3).
The specific diag-
nostic characteris-
tice that identify a
hobo nickel by
“Dapper” are:
1, Asimple hat, with avery long, slightly curved, narrow
hat brim, which extends to the coin’s border al each
sharply-pointed end. There may beno hat band, a simple
hat band, ora decorated hat band, with no bow.
2, The punched or chiseled hair, beard, and mustache are
neatly trimmed. There is a triangular projection of hair,
from the beard, onto the cheek, that paints toward the eye.
4s
Figure 1
3. There is a
simple two-part
collar; an upper
wider plain band,
and a lower nar-
rower band that
may be decorated.
A large single trian-
gular flap is at the
front of the collar.
There are no fea-
tures added on the
coat-shoulder area
below the collar.
Figure2
4, The earis narrow.
It may extend over
the hat brim.
5. The profile is un-
altered.
6. The neck, dome
of the hat, and field
behind the head are
fairly well dressed
or textured.
7, “Dapper'’s” works
appear to be on
early-dated buffalo
nickels.
INTRODUCING “TUFTY”
['ve nicknamed this prolific early hobo nickel maker
“fufty” because of the small tull of hair that appears on
his works, on the front of the forehead below the hat brim.
‘Tio “Tufty” hobo nickels are illustrated (Figures 4 and 5).
‘The diagnostic characteristics of a hobo nickel by “Tufly”
are:
continued on page 5
—_==
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, INC
Hodgepodge... continieci trom page 4
1. The isolated tuft
of hair on the fore-
head below the hat
brim.
2. A strongly
curved hat brim,
with a parallel,
equally wide, plain.
hat band.
3. A large car, with
a very wide outer
part, and a smaller
central depression.
Figure 4
‘The shape of the ear may vary.
4, The coin is totally carved.
5. The collar con-
sists of a single,
broad, chiseled,
band-like groove,
with some bald
notches at the front,
and to the right of
the date.
6, The profile is
slightly altered, at
the top of the nose.
7. The dome of the
hat, the neck, and
the field behind the
head are fairly well
dressed.
8. All known “Tufty” pieces are on 1913 nickels.
For illustrations
of additional hobo
nickels by “Tufty,”
see lot 26 of the
January 1996
OHNS auction.
And in Joyce
Romines’ book, sea
page 44 (far left col-
umn, third coin
down) and page 45
(far right column,
second coin down).
A HOBO NICKEL BY AL NALICK
Early hobo nickels signed by the artist with a first and
last name are rare. The reverse of this nickel (Figure 6)
teads BY (above the buffalo) AT. NALICK (on the buffalo).
Each letter
is formed
by dash-like
punches.
I have
no knowl-
edge of who
Al Nalick
was, and IT
haven't
found or
seen an-
other hobo
nickel by
him yet, He
appears to
have heen a
somewhat competent average hobo nickel artist, but no
great talont, as you can see (Figure 6), He had to squeeze
in the Kon the reverse as he didn't plan well on the space
needed for his name.
The obverse of his nickel has a simple hat high on the
head, an irregular ear, the hair-beard-mustache formed
by chiseled zigzag lines: there is a simple high shirt col-
Jar, and
a coat
collar.
Figure 6
continued on page 6
neon
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, INC
Hodgepodge... continued from page 4
HOBO CIGARS
Large novelty Hobo Cigars wero sold circa the 1950s
and 1960s. Mustrated (Figure 8) is the cardboard (actual
size 10 x 4 inches) alop the plastic bag containing one
sTaNE YO ane Te oH
such cigar (9 inches long, made of a thin waxed plastic).
Talcum powder inside provides the “smoke” when the ci-
gar is squeezed. Such hobo cigars occasionally appear on eu
eBay Internet auctions. HELPED’ RSELF
eee
HOBO CARD
GAME
I recently pur-
chased this HOBO
card game on eBay.
The 3.5 x 4.5 inch
box is illustrated. In-
side are two decks of
cards (54 cards in
each, colored red-
black-white; one
deck is still sealed).
Unfortunately the in-
structions were not
present, so I do not
know how the game is played. Apparently there is no
FARMERS
GARDEN
BRAKE-MAN
THROWS
ALL |
FUN!
playing board. the law and other hoboes.
The game was issued by Mind Over Matter (MOM) somo of the cards are il- ‘
Games in 1987, rather late for a hobo-related product. Even Tuctatedtharen ite bold x LOSE
the box refers to the hobo's pending extinction from soci- ae neues ee
2 z e EES GR ar TUI Ne eaele HOBO design is the com- TURN AND
YOUR RIDE
amon back. Is OUER
rds relate to the life of a hobo: earning money
from jobs, obtaining food, traveling, and encounters with See more cards on page 7
Cans
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, Inc.
YOU CAUGHT 4
HOBO STEALING
TAKE 1 CARD
FROM HOBO You CauGaT
ANY HOBO YOU CHOOSE
EASY PICKENS
YOU MAKE A HOBO
FRIEND .... HE SHARES
WITR YOO
GO TO JAIL —
SHERIFF CAUGAT
YOU STEALING
LOSE 2 TURNS
OR LET Hi YO
LEFT TAKE 2 CARDS
FROM YOU
TAKE | CARD
FROM NEW FRIEND —
ANY HOBO YOU CHOOSE
GO TO JAIL
ON
VaGRancy
HIP! RIP! HOORAY!
UU TCT RURAL
LOSE 2 TURNS
‘OR LET HOBO
ON YOUR RIGHT
TAKE 2 CARDS FROM YOU
TAKE 2 CARDS
FROM ANY HOBO
YOU CHOOSE
AUCTION 2001 UPDATE
‘The Original Hobo Nickel Soviety will have theiran- |
nual auction of Hoha nickels and related material at
the 2001 FULN. Convention ia Orlando, FL on Satur-
day, January 6, 2001,
It appears that this wil
the largest ever,
Catalogues should be in the members hands in early
"December, Ifa member doasn't receive one by Dec.
| 16th, please have them call or fax me at
(770) 396-6125,
Bill Fivaz
You
FOUND MONEY Ge
*20
WORKED WoRKED 4 DAY
spavs OZs see (Osh
BOTALES (oe
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY. INC
Dues...It’s That Time Again!
Tho year is coming to a closa, and those who are paid
through the end of the year 2000 will need to re-submit
dues to continue receiving member privileges next year.
Please check your mailing label. The “Paid Through Year”
is on the far right of the label on the top line after your
name. If your label says “2000” then your membership
ends al the end of this year. Please submit dues according
to the following choices:
LIFE membership $250
Five years regular membership: $ 40
Through 2005 (Save $$)
‘Three years regular membership: $ 25
Through 2003 (Save $)
One year regular membership; $ 10
Through 2001
Junior Membership: $5
Through 2001 (only available yearly)
(Junior Members must be under 19 years of age. This
mombership is a reduced rate with full member privileges
including all mailings.)
Associate Membership $05)
Through 2001 (only available yearly)
(Associate Members can bo any member of the same house-
hold with a Regular or LIFE member. Associate members
have member privileges, but donot receive a separate copy
of BoTales)
Please include vour mailing label, with any address changes
noted. Make check payable to ‘Original Hobo Nickel So-
ciety” and send to:
OHNS, PO. Box 54583. Cincinnali, OH 45254-0583
If you are renewing as a junior member, please indicate your
age for our records. Ifyou are not renewing, or if you have
questions or concerns, please drop us a line or send an email
with feedhack. It is important to the OHNS board to know
how we can continue to serve our members better.
Submitted by Jeff “Diamond Jim” Daniher, Secretary
({daniher@yahoo.com
NEW Yi j
As of January 2000
Member Date Name Number
State
41/1/00 Rita Jen Sledz ML 874
1/1/00 Steve Hoover Eira
1/1/00 Garol Harmes. RE 576
1/1/00 Don Charters MI 578
1/5/00 Arthur Hutchison MS 566
1/5/00 Bill Gailey EL 569
1/5/00 Barb Eck MI 570
1/5/00 Robert Shalowitz OH 572
1/5/00 David Litrenta PA 573)
4/10/00 Ralph Stevens UT 568
1/15/00 Cliff Gabard GAN 575:
1/27/00 Curt Barlow DE 580
2/1/00 James Shaw CA 579
2/19/00 Sam Deap PA 582
2/20/00 ‘Albert Hal Th 583
2/23/00. Kira Delfavero ME 577
2/24/00 Marc Madow GA 581
3/6/00 ‘Tom Stepanski NY 584
3/14/00 James Pommerening CA 586
4/34/00 Joseph Raimond NY 585
4/5/00. Mike Hakala WI 588
4/7/00. Alex Macievich CA 589
4/24/00 Larry Ivers GA 4587)
4/27/00 Henry Salvione NY 567
5/fi/oo Matthew Vaznaian RI 590
5/5/00 Sani Alfano LA 594
5/8/00 Merlin Peterson cO 592
s/ly/uu Ford Smith MT 591
6/14/00 Raymond Castello GA 593
6/15/00 Norm Froderman = IN 595
6/15/00 Dennis Deaser OH 996
7/1/00 Mike Tevis UX 597
7/10/00. Ray Phillip OH 598
6/5/00 William Jameson KY 599.
8/7/00 Fred Schornstein = NY 601
9/6/00. Gary Johnson KS
-8 BOTALES
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, INC.
red says ho still has the following material ready to ship to any mombor who hasn't ordered yot. Also, the hobo
tokens by Ron Landis are great additions to your collection... take advantage of their availability now and get a
complete set.
“The following back issues of BO TALES and Auction catalogues with prices realized are also available to mem-
bers (number in parenthesis is the # of copies available). BO TALES issues are $3.50 ea, and Auction Catalogues
are $4.00 ea.
Auction Catalogs Bo-Tales
Jan. 99 (20) Fall 93(3) Dec. 96 (12)
Jan. 96 (30) Winter 95 (1) April 97 (25)
Aug. 96 (20) April 94 (4) Aug. 97 (25)
Jan, 97 (30) Feb. 95 (2) Dec, 97 (15)
Jan. 98 (150) July 95 (20) May 98 (15)
Jan. 00 (40) Dec, 95 (25) Aug. 98 (50)
April 96 (12) Jul/Aug/Sept 99 (5)
Order should he sent to; Fred Benson, 9862 Hawthorn Glen, Grosse Ile, MI 48138. Please make
checks payahle to OHNS!
* 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 Hobo Tokens by Ron Landis $10.00 each
i p
1999-2000 Reverse
Teno
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIET
THE ORIGINAL
HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, INC.
PO. BOX 54583 * CINCINNATI, OH 45254-0583
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM
LU Please enroll me as a member in the Original [lobo Nickel Society, Inc. as indicated.
(Please renew my membership (member number
(15 years @ $40
U Life @ $250
O13 years @ $25
O Youth under 19 @ $5
Tam also enclosing a donation of
Name:
) as indicated.
1 year @10
(Associate @ $5 (no mailings)
for the OHNS Scholarship program.
Address:
Moniker (Nickname):
Phone:
Tugrve (u ubide by dhe Suviety’s Cude uf Bthies.
Signature of Candidate
Sponsor's Name
OHNS Advertisement Policy and Rates
1, Prices quoted are for camera ready display copy.
2. Graphic layout and design @ $25 per hour is available.
3. Pictures or graphics are encouraged.
4. Payment in full must be submitted with ads. Make checks payable to: Original Hobo Nickel Society.
5, All ads must be related to Hobo Nickels or associated materials or subject matter.
G. Dealers must adhere to our Code of Ethics.
Numismatic flyers can be inserted and mailed with Bo Tales for as little as $150.
Annual -4 Publications | Single Issue-Bo Tales _| Single - Auction Catalogue
Full Page $225.00 $100.00 $125.00
Full Page w/Cover $250.00 XX XX
Half Page Ad $150.00 $75.00 $100.00
Quarter Pago Ad $100.00 $50.00 $75.00
Inside Cover Xx $175.00
-10 BO TALES
ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, IN
THE ORIGINAL
HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, INC.
BO. BOX 54583 * CINCINNATI, OH 45254-0583
HOBO NICKEL AUTHENTICATION SUBMISSION FORM
ity, type,
method(s), artist, condition and quality of the carving. Each coin will be photographed and described. Carvings consid-
ered to be original (not modern) will be registered and numbered, Please submit one form with each coin to one of the
following authenticators:
Submissions will be reviewed by at least two authenticators who will give independent opinions on the original:
Bill Five Steve Alpert
PO. Box 888660 BO. Box 66331
Dunwoody, GA 30356-0660 Los Angeles, CA 90066
Owner's Name: OHNS Membership #
Address
Owner's value of coin (this information is necessary for insurance)
Members: $15.00 per coin* or ton or more coins - $12.50 per coin* Non-Members: $25.00 per coin™
*Includes postage and insurance up to $100.00. If you desire additional insurance, indicate the amount and include the
additional cost.
Tunderstand that the opinions rendered are strictly that, opinions, and are not a guarantee that the item is genuine. It is
however, the best considered judgement by qualified specialists in the area, but others may reach different conclusions.
Oi Lauthorize OHNS to use 3 photograph af this enin D1 antharize QHNS fo nse my name (nat address).
Signature of Submiter Date
Please make all checks payable to:
Original Hobo Nickel Society
oral
Bill Fivaz (Past President)
Roman Luzecky (Editor)
SECT (IN creamer ncn Sn omen eee roo enemas oremoreaarmrmic ON SIMa Seoldie INTs
D eristeg nce so metnceriomertomaxercroxkonrreanmrconoxencnccrnasrorctan DO TESA RET
Roger E. Wollam
ssonsemseieoss Bill Fivaz
Stove Alpert
Don Farnsworth